HONOLULU (KHON2) — A bill to create the “Silver Alert Program” to help find missing kupuna is one step closer to becoming law. It’s similar to the MAILE AMBER alert.
William Burr was reported missing in October 2023 after wandering from his home. Burr’s family said he was diagnosed with dementia. After a month of searching, Burr was found deceased on the side of the highway.
“He had fallen and unfortunately had a tragic ending and it’s my thought and my feeling that had there been a Silver Alert system in Hawaii, odds are my brother would be with us today,” said Joseph Burr, brother of William Burr.
It’s families like the Burr’s who advocated for a Silver Alert program throughout this Legislative session. Now, Hawaii may be joining 37 other states in implementing the system, similar to the MAILE AMBER alert. Instead, it’ll be for kupuna 65 and older and those with developmental disabilities.
“They could use any of that, cable TV, radio messaging, satellite and however they can disseminate that information out to there to the public, social media as well, anything we can do to get out there that hey there is an important valuable person in our community that is missing,” said Sen. Brandon Elefante (D) Aiea, Halawa, Pearlridge, Newtown.
The program will fall under the Department of Law Enforcement. The threshold to issue an alert includes if the missing person is 65 and older, cognitively impaired or developmentally disabled, if law enforcement exhausted all available resources, and believes the person is in danger.
“What it really relies on is coordination with the local county law enforcement, so the local county law enforcement would give the referral up to the Department of Law Enforcement and they will issue the silver alert,” said Rep. Cory Chun (D) Portions of Pearl City, Waipahu, Crestview.
Lawmakers have approved $250,000 to begin the program starting July 1. The bill is now headed to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
